As the Major League Baseball postseason unfolds, the Los Angeles Dodgers find themselves facing their familiar rivals, the San Diego Padres, in the 2024 National League Division Series (NLDS). The Padres, known for their gritty play and storied rivalry with the Dodgers, currently lead the series 2-1, with an opportunity to eliminate one of the most successful teams in recent history.
Rivalry Dynamics
The Dodgers have dominated the NL West division, clinching the division title 11 out of the last 12 seasons. However, the Padres have increasingly become a thorn in their side. The 2020 NLDS saw the Padres sweep the Dodgers, signaling a shift in the power dynamics within the division. In 2022, despite losing the first game, the Padres rallied to win three consecutive games in the NLDS against their rivals.
The fierce nature of these encounters is not lost on the players and managers. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the intensity of the rivalry, stating, “Clearly that team over there, they like the villain-type kind of role and they feed off of that.” Padres manager Mike Shildt, meanwhile, refuted any claims of intent to provoke, asserting, "I don't want to cast stones. I'm just not. The answer to your question is no. I don't think there was any intent at all with that."
High Stakes and Emotions
Dodgers player Max Muncy highlighted the electric atmosphere that characterizes games between the two teams. "The atmosphere here plays off their emotion. And we've seen that for the last several years, even in regular season games. Just something as simple as a single, and you see the guy throwing the bat 30 feet in the air, that really gets the crowd going here," Muncy remarked. The emotional intensity is part of a strategy embraced by the Padres, aimed at unsettling their opponents. "That is kind of part of their game is trying to get under your skin and trying to have the emotion come out and get you to do something that you're not normally doing," he added.
Padres' Rise and Machado's Influence
Over recent seasons, the Padres have built a formidable team, becoming one of the best squads in baseball, particularly noted during the latter half of the current season. Manny Machado, a key figure in the Padres' lineup, once donned the Dodgers uniform in 2018 before joining the Padres in 2019. His presence is a constant reminder of his talent and the rivalry's personal stakes. Dave Roberts spoke of Machado, saying, "It was unsettling. Obviously I have a relationship with Manny from years past. There was intent behind it."
Looking at the Numbers
The regular season saw the Padres winning eight out of the 13 encounters against the Dodgers, further underlining their capacity to challenge the perennial division leaders. Meanwhile, the Dodgers, who had an astounding 111-win season in 2022, hope to harness their past successes and experience to reverse their fortunes in this series.
A Decisive Moment
As the series continues, the Dodgers stand at a crossroads, needing to channel their impressive track record and overcome a determined Padres side eager to secure another postseason victory against their famed adversaries. Regardless of the outcome, the rivalry promises intense matchups and unforgettable moments, adding yet another chapter to an already storied history.